Portable horseshoes game

ABSTRACT

A portable horseshoes game that includes a flexible mat, one or more rigid poles configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from the flexible mat, and one or more throwing shoes. Each throwing shoe has a base section and two arm sections extending from opposing ends of the base section. A width of a gap between the two arm sections is larger than a diameter of the one or more rigid poles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/086,567 filed Dec. 2, 2014, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates to portable games and more particularly relatesto a portable horseshoes game.

BACKGROUND

The game of horseshoes is traditionally an outdoor game played byalternating players or teams taking turns throwing or tossing horseshoesat stakes in the ground, which are traditionally placed 40 feet or 12meters apart. While enjoyable, the traditional game of horseshoesrequires a large outdoor space, and preferably good weather. Thosewishing to enjoy a game of horseshoes in a crowded area or in badweather are typically unable to play the game.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor an apparatus, system, and method for horseshoes that overcome thelimitations of conventional medical tools and procedures. Beneficially,such an apparatus, system, and method would allow people to play thegame of horseshoes in many different locations and situations.

The subject matter of the present application has been developed inresponse to the present state of the art, and in particular, in responseto the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solvedby currently available games. Accordingly, the present disclosure hasbeen developed to provide a system and method for a portable horseshoesgame that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings inthe art.

Disclosed herein is one embodiment of a portable horseshoes game. Theportable horseshoes game includes a flexible mat, one or more rigidpoles configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from theflexible mat, and one or more throwing shoes. Each throwing shoe has abase section and two arm sections extending from opposing ends of thebase section. A width of a gap between the two arm sections is largerthan a diameter of the one or more rigid poles.

According to one implementation, the one or more throwing shoes and atleast a pit area of the flexible mat includes corresponding hook andloop fastener material such that the throwing shoes engage at least thepit area of the flexible mat when thrown. In certain embodiments, thepit area is a portion of the flexible mat immediately surrounding theone or more rigid poles. In such an implementation, each throwing shoemay include a patch of hook and loop fastener material on both sides ofthe base section and both sides of the two arm sections. For example,the patches of hook and loop fastener material on the two arm sectionsmay be disposed on distal portions of the two arm sections.

In one implementation, two pit areas are disposed adjacent opposing endsof the flexible mat. In another implementation, an underside of theflexible mat comprises neoprene material. In yet another implementation,an entire top surface of the flexible mat comprises hook and loopfastener material. The flexible mat of the portable horseshoes game mayalso include one or more areas for displaying advertisements. Theflexible mat may also be rollable.

In one implementation, the one or more rigid poles are detachablycoupleable with the flexible mat. For example, the one or more rigidpoles may be configured to extend through one or more holes in theflexible mat. The one or more rigid poles can have a base that is largerthan the one or more holes such that the base does not completely passthrough the one or more holes.

In yet another implementation, the portable horseshoes game furtherincludes an attachment device configured to detachably couple theflexible mat to a billiards table. In another implementation, theattachment device is configured to detachably couple the flexible mat toa tailgate of a pickup truck.

In one implementation, the one or more throwing shoes and at least a pitarea of the flexible mat include corresponding magnetic material suchthat the throwing shoes magnetically engage the pit area of the flexiblemat when thrown. The pit area is a portion of the flexible matimmediately surrounding the one or more rigid poles. According toanother implementation, at least a portion of the flexible mat, the oneor more poles, and the one or more throwing shoes includes aglow-in-the-dark material. In an alternative embodiment, one or more ofthe flexible mat, the one or more poles, and the one or more throwingshoes includes markings configured to fluoresce when exposed toultraviolet light. In yet another implementation, the one or morethrowing shoes are made from a transparent plastic material. The one ormore throwing shoes can have light emitting diodes.

Also disclosed herein is another embodiment of a portable horseshoesgame. The game includes a flexible mat having two pit areas disposedadjacent opposing ends of the flexible mat. An underside of the flexiblemat is neoprene material and the flexible mat is rollable. The game alsoincludes one or more rigid poles configured to extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the flexible mat. Still further, the game includesone or more throwing shoes, each throwing shoe having a base section andtwo arm sections extending from opposing ends of the base section. Awidth of a gap between the two arm sections is larger than a diameter ofthe one or more rigid poles. The one or more throwing shoes and the twopit areas of the flexible mat include corresponding hook and loopfastener material such that the throwing shoes engage at least the pitarea of the flexible mat when thrown. The pit area is a portion of theflexible mat immediately surrounding the one or more rigid poles.

An embodiment of a method for portable horseshoes is also disclosedherein. The method includes unrolling a flexible mat, with the flexiblemat having two pit areas disposed adjacent opposing ends of the flexiblemat and each pit area having a hole extending there-through. The methodalso includes placing the flexible mat on a desired playing surface andinserting a rigid pole through the hole in each pit area, wherein a baseof each rigid pole remains disposed underneath the flexible mat.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosedherein. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similarlanguage, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily,refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that thesubject matter of the present application may be practiced without oneor more of the specific features or advantages of a particularembodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages maybe recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in allembodiments of the disclosure. Further, in some instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure. These features and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the disclosure brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subjectmatter of the present application will be described and explained withadditional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a portablehorseshoes game;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the portablehorseshoes game;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the portablehorseshoes game;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a throwing shoe of the portable horseshoes game,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a rigid pole, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable horseshoes game being setupon a billiards table, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable horseshoes game being setupon a tailgate of a pickup truck, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a method for using theportable horseshoes game, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, the use of theterm “implementation” means an implementation having a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure, however, absent anexpress correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may beassociated with one or more embodiments.

In the following description, numerous specific details are provided.One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that thesubject matter of the present application may be practiced without oneor more of the specific details, or with other methods, components,materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures,materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoidobscuring aspects of the disclosure. Also, throughout the presentdisclosure, like numerals refer to like elements (e.g., 101 and 201).

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a portablehorseshoes game 100. The portable horseshoes game 100, in the depictedembodiment, has been set up on a playing surface 50. As described ingreater detail below, the portable horseshoes game 100 can be setup andplayed on most any surface, such as a tabletop, counter, wall, or thelike (additional details and examples below with reference of FIGS. 6and 7). The horseshoes game 100, in the depicted embodiment, includes aflexible mat 101, one or more rigid poles 110, and one or more throwingshoes 120 or horseshoes 120.

In one embodiment, the flexible mat 101 is rollable and/or foldable, sothat the horseshoes game 100 may be easily stored, transported, and thelike. The flexible mat 101, in various embodiments, may comprise arubber material, a plastic or polymer material, a hybrid rubber andplastic material, a paper material, and/or another flexible material.For example, in one embodiment the flexible mat 101 is made from aneoprene and/or polychloroprene material (e.g., a synthetic rubberproduced by polymerization of chloroprene) that enhances engagement withthe surface 50 upon which the game 100 is setup. In a furtherembodiment, the flexible mat 101 comprises one or more rigid panels,with joints between the rigid panels allowing the flexible mat 101 to befolded along the joints or the like. In another embodiment, the flexiblemat 101 comprises multiple pieces (e.g., rigid pieces) that areconfigured to link or couple together to form the flexible mat 101, withone or more attachment devices, such as snaps, hooks, buttons, magnetsand/or metals, suction cups, fabric hook and loop fasteners such asVelcro®, zippers, or the like.

The flexible mat 101 may be rollable and/or foldable to fit thehorseshoes game 100 in a box, bag, or other container for storage and/ortransportation. In a further embodiment, the horseshoes game 100 maycomprise one or more attachment devices, such as snaps, hooks, buttons,magnets and/or metals, suction cups, fabric hook and loop fasteners suchas Velcro®, weights, straps, or the like to removably couple theflexible mat to the tabletop 50, to a counter, to a wall, or the like.The flexible mat 101 includes various regions or areas, as will bedescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the portablehorseshoes game 200. As shown, the one or more rigid poles 210 areconfigured to extend from the flexible mat 201 to engage or catch athrowing shoe 220. As per the full-size game, the goal of the playerthrowing the shoe 220 is to place the throwing shoe 220 so that itencompasses the rigid pole 210. The one or more rigid poles 210, incertain embodiments, comprise a durable material, such as a plastic orpolymer, wood, metal, or the like. The one or more rigid poles 210, incertain embodiments, are fixed to or otherwise integrated with theflexible mat 201, such that the one or more rigid poles 210 are notremovable. In a further embodiment, the one or more rigid poles 110 aredetachably couplable with the flexible mat 201, so that the one or morerigid poles 110 may be removed from the flexible mat 201 when thehorseshoes game 200 is not in use, is being stored or transported, orthe like.

For example, in certain embodiments, the one or more rigid poles 210 mayextend through one or more holes 205 in the flexible mat 201. As shownin FIG. 5, the one or more rigid poles 110 may each comprise a base 112that is larger than the one or more holes 305 (FIG. 3) so that the baseis blocked from completely passing through the one or more holes 305.The base 112 may lock, snap, or otherwise hold a rigid pole 210 in asubstantially fixed position relative to the flexible mat 201 when inuse, but may allow the rigid pole 210 to be removed from the flexiblemat 201 when not in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the portablehorseshoes game 300. In the depicted embodiment, various areas orregions of the flexible mat 301 are shown. For example, the flexible mat301 may include pit areas 303 that are disposed adjacent opposing endsof the flexible mat 301. The pit areas 303 are the target landing zonesfor the horseshoes because the rigid pole extends through the hole 305that is in the pit area. The flexible mat 301 may also include front andback borders 306, 307 of the pit area 303. These borders 306, 307 mayhave a contrasting color or may be made from a different material,thereby distinguishing the pit area 303 from the rest of the mat 301.

In another embodiment, the flexible mat 301 also includes “sidewalk”areas 304 that extend, at least partially, along the length of theflexible mat 301 and that delineate a throwing lane. Once again, thesesidewalk areas 304 may have a contrasting color or may be made from adifferent material than other areas of the flexible mat 301. Theflexible mat 301 may also include “out-of-bounds” areas 309. Theout-of-bounds areas 309 may be treated as areas in which throwing shoesthat land therein are not counted for scoring purposes. In otherembodiments, the out-of-bounds areas 309 may simply be used to protectthe underlying surface 50 upon which the game 300 is setup. Stillfurther, the out-of-bound areas 309, as well as other areas of theflexible mat 301, may be used for advertising or sponsorship. Thus, theflexible mat 301 may include text, logos, etc. In one embodiment, thetwo holes 305 are between about 30 and 60 inches apart. For example, incertain embodiments, the two holes 305 may be about 40 inches apart fromeach other. As shown below, the dimensions of the game may be scaledaccording to an expected use scenario (see below with reference to FIGS.6 and 7).

In one embodiment, the flexible mat 301 may be made from or includematerial that interacts with the throwing shoes to facilitate engagementbetween the mat 302 and the shoes, thereby preventing or at leastlimiting throwing shoes from bouncing all over the place and/or fallingoff of our out of the playing area. For example, in one embodimentvarious regions of the flexible mat, including at least the pit area303, may be made from a magnetic material that corresponds with magneticfeatures of the throwing shoes. In another embodiment, various regionsof the flexible mat, at least including the pit area 303, may be madefrom or include hook-and-loop fastener material that corresponds with anassociated material disposed on the throwing shoes (see FIG. 4 foradditional details).

Markings on the flexible mat 301, or the flexible mat 301 itself, alongwith the one or more rigid poles and the throwing shoes may includeglow-in-the dark material (e.g., a glow-in-the-dark coating, paint,treatment, sticker, integrated material, or the like). Alternatively,the game components may be made from or may include markings of materialthat fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light (e.g., blacklights).By including glow-in-the dark features or fluorescent features, the gamemay be played in dimly lit locations (e.g., bars, etc.). The game mayalso include features (e.g., the flexible mat 301, the pit area 303, therigid poles 110, the throwing shoes 120, or the like) that haveintegrated light emitting diodes.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the throwing shoe 120 of the portable horseshoesgame and FIG. 5 is a side view of the rigid pole 110, according to oneembodiment. In one embodiment, the throwing shoe 120 may be betweenabout 1 and 2 inches wide and between about 1 and 2 inches long. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the throwing shoe 120 is made from aplastic material in the shape of a “U” which is about 1 and ⅜ incheswide and 1 and ¾ inches long. The throwing shoe 120 includes a basesection 121 and two arm sections 122 that extend from the base section.A gap 125 is formed between the two arm sections 122, and the width ofthe gap 125 is larger than a width of the rigid pole 110.

In one embodiment, the one or more throwing shoes 120 or horseshoes 120are made from a durable material, such as a plastic or polymer, wood,metal, or the like. In one embodiment, the shoes 120 and/or the poles110 are made from a transparent plastic material. In another embodiment,the throwing shoes 120 may have integrated light emitting diodes that,for example, can be configured to change color to indicate which playertossed the shoe (e.g., player or team colors). As described above, theone or more throwing shoes 120 and/or the one or more rigid poles 110and/or an area of the flexible mat 101 around the one or more rigidpoles 110 (e.g., a horseshoe pit 103) may be metal and/or magnetic, maycomprise a fabric hook and loop fastener, or the like, to encourage athrowing shoe 120 to stick or otherwise remain on or around a rigid pole110 in response to a player throwing the throwing shoe 120 toward therigid pole 110 to engage (e.g., contact) the rigid pole 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, various patches 124 of hook-and-loop material may beattached to or integrated with the throwing shoes 120. In oneembodiment, each shoe 120 has patches 124 on both sides of the shoe 120,with patches specifically disposed on the base section 121 and distalregions of the arm sections 122. Such a configuration ensures properengagement with the corresponding and associated hook-and-loop materialof the pit area 303 (as mentioned above, the entire flexible mat 301 maybe made from hook-and-loop material in an alternative embodiment).

As mentioned above, the flexible mat and/or other components of thehorseshoes game may be provided in multiple sizes, to facilitate usewith different sized tabletops, counters, and/or walls. In a furtherembodiment, the horseshoes game may be played with the flexible matdirectly on the floor, on the ground, or in another flat location. Whilethe depicted embodiment includes two rigid poles, on either end of theflexible mat, so that different players may throw horseshoes in opposingdirections, in another embodiment, the horseshoes game may include asingle rigid pole, and players may take turn throwing horseshoes towardthe same rigid pole.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the portable horseshoes gamebeing setup in different locations: FIG. 6 shows a billiards table andFIG. 7 shows a tailgate of a pickup truck. In the billiards embodiment,the flexible mat 601 is being rolled out (e.g., setup) to cover theentire top surface of the billiards table 51, thus preventing thebilliards table 51 from sustaining any damage from the thrown shoes(e.g., the flexible mat 601 may be about 82 inches long and 52 incheswide). In another embodiment, the flexible mat may be sized to onlycover the felt surfaces of the billiards table 51, thus fitting withinthe confines of the bumper pads of the billiards table 51 and furtherpreventing the horseshoes from falling of the flexible mat 601. Althougha single throwing lane is shown on the flexible mat 601, it is expectedthat multiple throwing lanes may be included on the flexible mat 601,thereby allowing multiple games to be played on the same mat 601. Theflexible mat 701 in FIG. 7 is sized to fit on a tailgate 52 of a pickuptruck. For example, the flexible mat 701 may be about 48 inches long andmay be between about 20 and 24 inches wide.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a method 890 for using theportable horseshoes game, according to one embodiment. The method 890includes unrolling a flexible mat at 892. The flexible mat has two pitareas disposed adjacent opposing ends of the flexible mat and each pitarea and has a hole extending there-through. The method 890 alsoincludes placing the flexible mat on a desired playing surface at 894and inserting a rigid pole through the hole in each pit area at 896,wherein a base of each rigid pole remains disposed underneath theflexible mat.

Rules and scoring for the horseshoes game, in certain embodiment, may bedecided by the players. In a further embodiment, professional horseshoesrules may be used. The horseshoes game, in various embodiments, providesfun and enjoyment much like a full sized outdoor horseshoe pit, but maybe enjoyed indoors, may be transported to multiple locations, may beeasily stored and packed away, for much more versatile use. The game mayalso include optional bumper attachments or wall attachments, therebyfurther preventing errant shoes from being thrown beyond the playingarea. For example, one or more areas of the flexible mat may be foldedup (with the help of rigid inserts) to play the game in a kids mode(similar to bumpers in bowling).

In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,”“down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” andthe like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide someclarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But,these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions,and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper”surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over.Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms“including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is“coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling.Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in somecontact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined ascoupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, buthaving one or more additional elements between the coupled elements.Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element caninclude direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as usedherein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, oneelement can be adjacent another element without being in contact withthat element.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. Theitem may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “atleast one of” means any combination of items or number of items may beused from the list, but not all of the items in the list may berequired. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” maymean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; oritem B and item C; or some other suitable combination. In some cases,“at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example,without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C;four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally setforth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order andlabeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method.Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent infunction, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, ofthe illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employedare provided to explain the logical steps of the method and areunderstood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrowtypes and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, theyare understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method.Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only thelogical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate awaiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumeratedsteps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which aparticular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order ofthe corresponding steps shown.

The subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from its spirit or essentialcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of thedisclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable horseshoes game comprising: a flexiblemat; one or more rigid poles configured to extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the flexible mat; and one or more throwing shoes,each throwing shoe comprising a base section and two arm sectionsextending from opposing ends of the base section, wherein a width of agap between the two arm sections is larger than a diameter of the one ormore rigid poles.
 2. The portable horseshoes game of claim 1, whereinthe one or more throwing shoes and at least a pit area of the flexiblemat comprise corresponding hook and loop fastener material such that thethrowing shoes engage at least the pit area of the flexible mat whenthrown, wherein the pit area is a portion of the flexible matimmediately surrounding the one or more rigid poles.
 3. The portablehorseshoes game of claim 2, wherein each throwing shoe comprises a patchof hook and loop fastener material on both sides of the base section andboth sides of the two arm sections.
 4. The portable horseshoes game ofclaim 3, wherein the patches of hook and loop fastener material on thetwo arm sections are disposed on distal portions of the two armsections.
 5. The portable horseshoes game of claim 2, wherein theflexible mat comprises two pit areas disposed adjacent opposing ends ofthe flexible mat.
 6. The portable horseshoes game of claim 1, wherein anunderside of the flexible mat comprises neoprene material.
 7. Theportable horseshoes game of claim 1, wherein an entire top surface ofthe flexible mat comprises hook and loop fastener material.
 8. Theportable horseshoes game of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat comprisesone or more areas for displaying advertisements.
 9. The portablehorseshoes game of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat is rollable. 10.The portable horseshoes game of claim 1, wherein the one or more rigidpoles are detachably coupleable with the flexible mat.
 11. The portablehorseshoes game of claim 11, wherein the one or more rigid poles areconfigured to extend through one or more holes in the flexible mat, theone or more rigid poles comprising a base that is larger than the one ormore holes such that the base does not completely pass through the oneor more holes.
 12. The portable horseshoes game of claim 1, furthercomprising an attachment device configured to detachably couple theflexible mat to a billiards table.
 13. The portable horseshoes game ofclaim 1, further comprising an attachment device configured todetachably couple the flexible mat to a tailgate of a pickup truck. 14.The portable horseshoes game of claim 1, wherein the one or morethrowing shoes and at least a pit area of the flexible mat comprisecorresponding magnetic material such that the throwing shoesmagnetically engage the pit area of the flexible mat when thrown,wherein the pit area is a portion of the flexible mat immediatelysurrounding the one or more rigid poles.
 15. The portable horseshoesgame of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flexible mat, the oneor more poles, and the one or more throwing shoes comprises aglow-in-the-dark material.
 16. The portable horseshoes game of claim 1,wherein one or more of the flexible mat, the one or more poles, and theone or more throwing shoes comprises markings configured to fluorescewhen exposed to ultraviolet light.
 17. The portable horseshoes game ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more throwing shoes are made from atransparent plastic material.
 18. The portable horseshoes game of claim1, wherein the one or more throwing shoes have light emitting diodes.19. A portable horseshoes game comprising: a flexible mat comprising twopit areas disposed adjacent opposing ends of the flexible mat, whereinan underside of the flexible mat comprises neoprene material, whereinthe flexible mat is rollable; one or more rigid poles configured toextend substantially perpendicularly from the flexible mat; and one ormore throwing shoes, each throwing shoe comprising a base section andtwo arm sections extending from opposing ends of the base section,wherein a width of a gap between the two arm sections is larger than adiameter of the one or more rigid poles; wherein the one or morethrowing shoes and the two pit areas of the flexible mat comprisecorresponding hook and loop fastener material such that the throwingshoes engage at least the pit area of the flexible mat when thrown,wherein the pit area is a portion of the flexible mat immediatelysurrounding the one or more rigid poles.
 20. A method for portablehorseshoes, the method comprising: unrolling a flexible mat, theflexible mat comprising two pit areas disposed adjacent opposing ends ofthe flexible mat, wherein each pit area comprises a hole extendingthrough the flexible mat; placing the flexible mat on a desired playingsurface; and inserting a rigid pole through the hole in each pit area,wherein a base of each rigid pole remains disposed underneath theflexible mat.